Ducks Like Rain - and I do, too!

In “Ducks Like Rain” children pretend to be ducks that quack and waddle – and like the rainy weather – water runs off their feathers!

I first heard this song on my daughter’s favorite cassette (yes
– it’s that long ago!) by Raffi. As I
began my own recording career, I knew I’d want to sing that song with the
current generation of children, some whose parents knew Raffi’s work from their childhood. Sadly, the kids I taught did not.

Father/Son ducks!

“Ducks Like Rain”was a
perfect fit for my second cd – “H.U.M. – Highly Usable Music, All Year Long!” What better choice for one of April’s
songs?!? I scoured the internet to find
out who wrote it – Raffi did not - and I found no credit on his recordings. So, long story short – when I
came up empty-handed, I went ahead and recorded it. It's been a favorite with
the under-6 set once again!

Fast forward 7 years. In 2010 I
received an email from one Franciscus Henri of Australia, saying he was the
author and I did not have the necessary paperwork filed (it’s called a
mechanical license) to have recorded his song!
I quickly rectified the situation with payment and the required papers,
and well, things are just ducky (sorry, had to do it!) Franciscus is a well-known TV personality Down Under as “Mr. Whiskers!”

So, let’s get you and your students quacking and waddling,
too! You can use my “H.U.M.” recording,
or Raffi’s. You can “super-size” this
song easily by adding books, art projects and other rain songs (see below for
ideas.)

First you
might want to make Duck Sticks. Yes,
that’s a duck on a stick! I use yellow
poster board with the duck pattern here.
You can get 9 ducks out of one board!
The pattern is on my website’s Song of the Month page for April 2007. I use packing tape to attach the duck to a 12”
dowel.

Got music? Got duck sticks? You’re ready to go!

Lyrics:
Ducks like rain! Ducks like rain!
Ducks like splishy splashing in the rain.
Ducks like rain! Ducks like rain!
Ducks llike the rainy weather
Water running off their feathers
Ducks like splishy splashing in the rain

Yes, I sometimes get whacked in the face with a duck - but it's worth it. I get one-on-one time with each child as they bring in their duck!

There you go!If you’re in a drought, at least sing about rain!If you’re being deluged (it’s been quite wet here in Chicago this Spring/early Summer), sing about rain!It’s really a three-season subject where I live.

There you go! If you’re in a drought, at least sing about
rain! If you’re being deluged (it’s been
quite wet here in Chicago this Spring/early Summer), sing about rain! It’s really a year-round subject where I
live.